Canada is the safest country to travel to in 2024, according to a report from Berkshire Hathaway. An … [+]
Safety is a top concern for many when choosing where to travel — a consideration that carries even more importance given the current landscape in the Middle East with the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S. State Department’s worldwide caution travel advisory. To help pinpoint safe countries for travel in 2024, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has published its “Safest Destinations” report for the ninth year in a row. The report ranks both the top safety countries and the top safest cities globally.
This year’s top safest countries are: Canada, Switzerland, and Norway.
View of St. Moritz in Switzerland, the second highest-ranking country on a new “safest places to … [+]
The safest cities in the world are: Honolulu, Hawaii; Montreal, Quebec; and Reykjavik, Iceland. While Nordic countries and cities are regulars on top safety lists, it’s important to note that Iceland this month declared a “state of emergency” amid a rise in seismic activity and the “significant likelihood” that the Fagradalsfjall volcano will erupt, prompting evacuations in Grindavík, a small fishing town.
Safety in the context of travel, of course, can come in a number of forms. It can be places free of terrorism, destinations where you’re sheltered from severe-weather events, countries that have solid infrastructure to help prevent accidents on the road, and regions where travelers of color and LGBTQ+ travelers feel safe and comfortable.
For its list, the insurance company surveyed 1,702 travelers and also considered data points from third-party sources to evaluate safety concerns such as terrorism, weather emergencies, health measures, and the safety of underrepresented groups.
Honolulu ranks as the No. 1 safest city to visit in 2024, according to Berkshire Hathaway. However, … [+]
Travelers must have visited the countries they’re rating within the last five years. The survey includes data from the Global Peace Index and the State Department’s travel safety ratings. The survey also incorporates GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country. The scores take a number of factors into consideration, including women’s safety, theft, basic freedoms, and health and medical factors.
An important thing to note with Berkshire Hathaway’s report: The ratings are “predictive,” meaning it doesn’t account for the possibility of natural disasters. Surveys were conducted in August and September, and, as an example, Iceland is on this year’s list, despite the thousands of small earthquakes that have been shaking the country in recent weeks.
Cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan in spring.
Berkshire Hathaway’s list has traditionally been dominated by Scandinavian countries, Northern Europe, and destinations like Australia and New Zealand. This year, Asian and South American nations broke into the top 15 as Japan and Brazil both made the safest countries list. Last year, Brazil ranked No. 42.
Where are the Safest Countries to Travel to in 2024?
Here are the 15 safest countries to travel to in 2024, according to Berkshire Hathaway’s report.
Lake Louise in Banff National Park with its glacier-fed turquoise lakes and Mount Victoria Glacier … [+]
No. 1: Canada
No. 2: Switzerland
No. 3: Norway
No. 4: Ireland
No. 5: Netherlands
No. 6: United Kingdom
No. 7: Portugal
No. 8: Denmark
No. 9: Iceland
No. 10: Australia
No. 11: New Zealand
No. 12: Japan
No. 13: France
No. 14: Spain
No. 15: Brazil
Where are the Safest Cities to Travel to in 2024?
Here are the 15 safest cities to travel to in 2024, according to Berkshire Hathaway’s report.
Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, is among the top safest cities, however Iceland has declared … [+]
No. 1: Honolulu
No. 2: Montreal
No. 3: Reykjavik
No. 4: Sydney
No. 5: Amsterdam
No. 6: Dubai
No. 7: Copenhagen
No. 8: London
No. 9: Seoul
No. 10: Venice, Italy
No. 11: Tokyo
No. 12: Berlin
No. 13: Paris
No. 14: Barcelona
No. 15: Orlando
Contact Brittany Anas at brittanyanas@gmail.com
